Wild Oats and Ran to be protested

The Race Committee of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, announced that they have lodged two protests; one against Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI and one against Niklas Zennstrom’s Rán.

Tim Cox AM RANR, Chairman of the Race Committee explained that both yachts had breached Rules 44.1 (a) and 44.2 of the Sailing Instructions which relate to ‘Mandatory Reporting from Green Cape’ via HF radio.

“The Race Committee met this morning and we lodged a protest against Wild Oats XI and Ran for not complying with Rule 44.1 (a) and Rule 44.2,” Cox said this afternoon. “Both have reported only by telephone, which does not comply, so the protests were lodged at 5.05pm today."

“We broadcast the protests to the Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet at 5.00pm and advised David Kellett on the Radio Relay Vessel to advise the two boats of the protest against each one."

Questioned whether protesting was a harsh measure, Cox said the rules had been put in place because of the fatal 1998 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and that it was a matter of safety. “This is a fundamental safety issue,” he said. “Should a situation occur, we cannot organise search and rescue operations via telephones. I consider this a serious breach,” he said.

Cox said the protests had been set down for 1.00pm on Wednesday 29th December and would be heard by the International Jury at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.